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Thompson Statement on Long Overdue Russian Sanctions

Mar 15, 2018

Press Release

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that the Treasury Department has sanctioned Russian actors for interfering in the 2016 elections and for targeting our critical infrastructure:

“The Trump Administration has finally come to its senses and has implemented sanctions for Russia's targeting of our critical infrastructure and interfering in our elections since 2016. Why this took so long, we’ll never know. Interfering in our elections was a blatant attack on our democracy. Russia is growing more brazen in its efforts to undermine the West and its attack on the United Kingdom earlier this month is proof of that. Without consequences, Putin will only be more emboldened. The sanctions announced today could not come soon enough.”

“It is time for President Trump to honor his oath of office and protect and defend the United States. President Trump must acknowledge that Putin is not our friend and does not have America’s best interests in mind."

"Sanctions alone will not stop Russia’s efforts to undermine Western democracies. With federal elections only months away, securing our election infrastructure from continued Russian meddling must be prioritized by the Trump Administration and Congress. To do this, President Trump must treat this like any other major national security issue and direct his Administration to counter it, and Congress must act on proposals to provide meaningful assistance to states to help secure their elections.”